Salahuddin Voices Support for Litton Das as T20I Captain

DHAKA: Despite concerns regarding his recent performance, Bangladesh’s assistant coach, Mohammad Salahuddin, has expressed strong backing for Litton Das as he assumes the role of T20I captain for the national cricket team.

Das has been named captain up to the 2026 T20 World Cup, succeeding Najmul Hossain Shanto, who decided to step down to better manage his workload across all formats.

The selection of the 30-year-old as captain has sparked discussion, particularly in light of his recent batting struggles. Over the past year, Das has accumulated only 242 runs in 16 T20Is, including just one half-century.

His performance in the West Indies series last December was also underwhelming, with scores of 0, 3, and 14, although he did guide the team to a series victory.

Salahuddin addressed these concerns during a press conference held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday, defending Das’s appointment.

The assistant coach stressed the significance of providing Das with adequate time and support as he undertakes his captaincy responsibilities, commencing with a two-match T20I series against the UAE.

“You might disagree or become agitated about certain individuals in the captaincy position, but leading Bangladesh seems straightforward from the outside, yet it is anything but. It is a challenging task, and we must all offer our assistance,” Salahuddin stated.

He further asserted that Das possesses the strategic insight and leadership attributes necessary for success.

“Litton is qualified to lead the team; he encourages strategic thinking and excels at it,” Salahuddin added.

Acknowledging that leadership requires time to cultivate, Salahuddin emphasized the importance of patience and allowing Das room to evolve in the role.

“We often perceive Litton differently — perhaps because he is not very active with the media. Everyone has areas for improvement, not just as a captain but also as a batter and as an individual,” he remarked.

Bangladesh’s forthcoming schedule includes two T20I series against the UAE, a five-match T20I series against Pakistan, a limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, and a white-ball series against India.